Sand Mountain

Ok, here is a new post from me. (:


Well, things have been super busy here for us. As some of you may know, I went back to school this semester and am persuing elementary education. For my Intro to Ed class I am required to spend 30 hours in a classroom. I work full time so that has been a bit of a challenge. My professor was a 4th grade teacher at one of the local schools and he still leads their field trips so he said I could go and count the hours towards my practicum. The field trip was Wednesday and I was able to get it off work. And let me tell you, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park! In fact, it was more like a crawl! There were three 4th grade classes, three teachers and a handfull of parents. We went to a place two hours away called Sand Mountain -elevation 4000-4700Ft. I actually learned a lot on this trip! Along the way we stopped at some archaeological sights. One was a well preserved Pony Express station. That was cool to learn about. I did not know as much about the Pony Express as I thought I did! Then it was off to the mountain. The first time I saw Sand Mountain was when we came around the bend and...there it was...a huge sand mountain...its bleach white sand just glistening in the sun. It was a sight to behold! It definately looked out of place....like God just dumped a huge bag of sugar in the midst of regular Nevada mountains. So off the busses took us to the base of the mountain. The kids were so excited. We all piled off the busses with our water bottles in hand and we plowed our way through. Up and up we went. The more steps we took, the slower we went. It was like walking on a very steep beach. I have never seen so much sand in one place! Let me just say, I thought I was going to die! What a great workout! I almost sat down so many times but I knew I would never get up! So did a lot of the kids...they were crawling! My professor and some "tough kids" were leaps and bounds ahead of me...I was determined that 40 4th graders were not going to out-do me! Some of those kids practically sprinted their way to the top! I couldn't believe it! Must be all the hormones in food these days...or the shoes! So, by the time I got to the top, I was exhausted! But you would not believe the view! It was worth every drop of sweat, every burn of my thighs, every palopitation of my heart! It was great to see all the kids make it to the top who almost turned back half way down. When I got to the top, I fell to my seat and just sat there! Then all the kids started running and rolling down from the very top. It looked so funny to see people running down a mountain that was as steep as a cows face! But we completed our trip with no major set-backs. I am so glad I had the opportunity to go on that trip. It was just what I needed...to get away from my pile of paperwork and stress of work and get out and see one of God's many wonderful scenic masterpieces! I feel blessed to have been able to see such an awesome thing...and I bonded with several students which brings me so much joy! Well, so that's my latest interesting event. The only bad part of the trip is I think I will need a cane to help me walk for the rest of the week! But what an experience!

Here is the Pony express station. Talk about tough times!

There I am with two other girls from my class at UNR.

Sand Mountain in all it's majestic beauty!

I took this picture of my shaddow at the saddle on top. I am looking down at the other side of the mountain...I made it!





This is a mountain across from Sand Mountain.

This are all the people who ate their Wheaties that morning! Not me, with my egg and cheese...

Here is a lovely self portrait from the top.

Here are my weary feet as I sat on the very top of the mountain feeling very triumphant!

My professor took this one of me on the way back down.

And while I am posting, I wanted to throw a recent picture of my honey and my Sophie!